It looks like Ozark will get to hunt Saturday

[ozark]

My son and his wife will arrive here tomorrow night and we will try to be up and in the hunting shack around daylight Saturday. They will help me get set up and then he will man a camera to record the hunt. Not for a hunting show just recording memories we hope. I feel confident that we will see and take a deer or two. Does will be legal and we both want jerky if possible. If we get lucky and get more than we want a local butcher shop will process the meat without cost and donate it to an organization that distributes it to the needy. I know that many love deer meat but one mess of tenderloin per year is all we use. Mom doesn't cook much anymore. We usually go to a fast food place or maybe KFC/Long John Silver often. TV dinners by Marie Callendar is pretty good too. For Thanksgiving we have a complete traditional dinner ordered. The morning following Thanksgiving Ben Jr. has talked his Mom into preparing homemade biscuits, cured ham, chocolate gravy and red eye gravy made from the drippings of fried ham with coffee added to make the red eyes. I know, many of you have never learned what really good is. I will naturally write a report if we have success on the hunt.

[ET]

Ozark

Now this is one hunt I really look forward to read about regardless of success.

Good Hunting Ben



Ed

[jims]

Ditto!

[tar12]

If he is recording it, we want to see video!

[whelenman]

The hunt sounds like a good deal but the post Thanksgiving breakfast sounds even better. Have a good time.

[zakjak221]

Looking forward to hearing about your hunt.
Good luck & keep us posted.

Mark

[whyohe]

sounds like a nice week end! weather you guys and gals get some jerky or not it will be a hunt to remember!

I THINK I GAINED 10 lbS just reading the last part of the post.

[ozark]

OK, here come the details and pictures. Ben Jr., Bobbi and I were in our hunting shack at daybreak with plenty of egg sandwiches and snacks. Oh, and of course our equipment.



Our first wildlife visitors were two hen turkeys.
One had a beard which is not uncommon.

Soon after the turkeys left Bobbi saw two does that were running away from something across the hollow.
About 8:30 AM a beautiful doe came into the shooting lane and stopped.
I think she saw something was different and tried to get comformation with her nose.
I got the .243 settled on her and my camera man told me he was ready. Ben Jr. happened to get a picture at the instant of impact which provides a view that is somewhat saddening.

The bullet impacted just back of the left leg angling slightly toward the deers rear.
She left the area but we saw her stop about 100 yards away. She then walked out of sight. Ben Jr. found blood about where she stopped and followed it another 200 yards down hill. He found her dead at the water's edge. The bullet exited about the middle of the deers right side. She weighed exactly 100 lbs. Shortly after Ben Jr. went out of sight a great buck with an awesome rack came by tracking the doe. I passed on him because I am not a horn hunter.



We spent several hours which were a real treat for me watching birds, squirrels and just visiting.



It was a real treat for me. BTW I killed a crow that was right at the 200 yard distance. I apologize for the quality of the pictures but it is hard to get high quality from a cheap camera.

[whelenman]

Sounds like a nice day today. It's good to see you get such good quality photos with a pocket camera. That buck's Boone and Crockett for sure.

[ET]

Ozark

Congrats on your success and great all around day enjoying the outdoors.

Our season regs here for wild turkeys basically states that all bearded birds (not just Toms) are legal for the taking during the Spring Hunt. So far haven't seen a bearded Hen until now with the picture you provided. Thanks for sharing that.

Ed

[ozark]

ET, Bearded hens are legal here during spring hunts also. I don't shoot them because I have seen several with poults following them. A friend shot one once and it was full of eggs so I am sure that they are producers. I see several. I would say that here at least close to ten percent have beards. Usually much thinner than toms. Yes today was a red letter day for me.

[jims]

Excellent photos.

[whyohe]

excellent photos and story! sounds like a good time with family! looks like some good jerky comming your way.

the shot looks good from the photo. you still have it Ozark!

[swede]

Beautiful pictures, ozark.

Thanks for sharing.

Swede

[wilmsmeyer]

Glad your hunt went well. Those are awesome photo's Ozark.

[rossman40]

Thanks for sharing the great photos and the great recap. I'm sure you didn't find that camera in the close-out aisle at Walmart. Do not think there is anything much better then spending a day in the woods or just enjoying the outdoors with family & friends.

That buck looks like he has character, maybe he will grow some horns next year

[davewolf]

Congrats! That's one fine account of the hunt, and what kinda of camera is that? That lense is awesome. Happy to hear you had a successful hunt! As they say time and time again, "it just doesn't get any better than that!"
Have a great day!
Dave

[dans]

Ozark I love the pictures! You sure had a nice hunt and bagged some tasty venison. Congratulations!

[ozark]

davewolf, the camera is a Cannon 50D. Lens: Cannon 400mm 2.8 I.S. UCM. I don't know what all this means. Ben Jr. is the photographer. Thanks to all for the kind remarks. It was truly a fine day for me.

[DHinMN]

Great pictures. I liked the one of the Unicorn. It's great that you can still get out and hunt.

[ozark]

Hindsight tells me it was my fault that this doe moved close to 300 yards after the shot. Before the hunt I told my Son that I thought I would shoot any deer that showed up using a high shoulder or neck shot. He insisted that I just take the proven successful boiler room shot and I decided I would. When the deer showed up it gave me a quartering shot and I obviously should have aimed at the forward point of the left shoulder. But no, I had to aim at the point that would be correct had the deer been broad side. I made an accurate shot at a poor location spot. I probably saved a half pound of meat and chanced losing the whole deer. I guess the lesson here is that you can't plan the spot to hit until the target presents itself. I wont make that mistake again.

[Jon]

Ozark, I'm proud to be able to listen to your life and successes You obviously have a wonderful family but that should not be surprising they were raised by a very astute and caring person. That is a great reward for all of them and you. Thank you for all the great real knowledge you share with all of us lucky enough to be on this board that you share it with. I hope I didn't say anything wrong that is probably what I am best at. Again thank you for being you.
Jon

[ozark]

Thanks for the kind words of respect jon. I have been very lucky during a long life. All the happiness I have had came from others, or from doing things for others. Your comment adds to the whole. Thanks again.

[chuck41]

Beautiful pictures. I suspect that I will be doing the same in the morning, but with nothing like that moon shooter system your son set up there.

[cfvickers]

So Ozark, I have to ask, if your not into hunting horns, just how did you find that one???

[ozark]

I didn't, my sons camera fount that enormous horn. LOL

[jeremylong]

Now thats the best dang hunting report I have ever seen. Awesome!